Smoking and Mental Health: The Hidden Link and How Quitting Can Improve Your Mindset

The link between smoking and mental health is a complex one. If you walk up to someone who’s addicted to smoking, you will learn that nine out of ten times, this habit is established due to stress, anxiety or some kind of mental health trigger.

However, that doesn’t necessarily mean that people who have a smoking habit aren’t able to quit it eventually. Quitting smoking is thus the best way to improve one’s mindset and overall well-being.

If you are wondering, “How Can I Stop Smoking?” and the hidden link between smoking and mental health, we will discuss that in detail in this guide.

How Smoking Impacts Mental Health?

The connection between smoking and mental health is grounded in the effects of nicotine and other chemicals in cigarettes on brain function.

Nicotine is responsible for stimulating the release of dopamine, aka the “feel good” hormone. This, in turn, boosts the mood, albeit temporarily. People who are addicted to smoking thus continue chasing that “dopamine rush”, and the cycle of smoking continues.

Smoking impacts mental health in more ways than one, leading to mood disorders, anxiety and stress. When you continue smoking, you teach your brain to become dependent on nicotine, thereby making it difficult to quit the habit eventually.

How does Smoking Affect Cognitive Function?

With smoking often altering the brain chemistry, the habit doesn’t just impact one’s mood but a lot more. Long-term smoking is associated with cognitive decline and an increased risk of mental health disorders like bipolar disorder and schizophrenia.

Some of the ways smoking impacts cognitive function are:

• The nicotine present in the cigarettes you smoke can interfere with memory and cognitive function. So, when you have been smoking for some time, it can lead to memory lapses and decreased concentration due to the impact on the brain chemistry.

• While nicotine can temporarily increase alertness, long-term use may harm sustained attention and focus. Not just that, prolonged nicotine dependence also makes an individual experience a “need” for another cigarette.

• Some studies indicate that smoking often leads to potential chances of developing issues like schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.

How Quitting Smoking Improves Mental Health?

While these negative implications of smoking on mental health can be daunting, the good news is that quitting smoking can successfully reverse these impacts and enable you to overcome the challenges.

Some of the benefits you can reap from quitting smoking are:

Mood Stabilisation

One of the most significant issues with smoking on mental health is mood disorder. One minute, you are relaxed and happy; the other, you are low and irritable. The nicotine intake is usually the main reason that contributes to the mood instability. However, when you start quitting smoking, the brain begins to regulate dopamine production naturally, which leads to more stable moods.

Reduced Anxiety and Stress

The cycle of “I am smoking because I am stressed, and smoking is making me anxious and stressed” is vicious and never-ending. People that have managed to quit their smoking habit report feeling less anxious and stressed after quitting the habit. Once your body overcomes nicotine dependence, it starts recovering itself, and over time, the brain adjusts the dopamine and cortisol levels in the body, too.

Improved Cognitive Function

Memory lapses, lack of clarity, hyper-alertness, etc., are issues that you can overcome when you quit smoking. As nicotine dependency fades, former smokers experience improved concentration and focus. Studies show that ex-smokers have better cognitive function than long-term smokers, which highlights the value of quitting for mental sharpness.

Strategies to Quit Smoking and Support Mental Health

With all the benefits that you can reap after quitting smoking, it makes sense to take that step forward and embrace a smoke-free life.

Following are a few strategies to consider:

1. Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT)

One of the best ways to embark on your smoking-quitting journey is to opt for NRT, like Anti Smoking Chewing Gum. These are effective and help to ease off nicotine gradually without the harmful chemicals in cigarettes. If you are trying to achieve a gradual reduction with your quitting journey, NRT is hands down one of the best ways to navigate through the situation. Taking these can help curb withdrawal symptoms and make staying motivated on your quitting journey easier.

2. Seeking Professional Help

When you have been smoking for several years, especially becoming a heavy smoker, quitting smoking can be a challenging route. Starting the quitting journey might be difficult without professional guidance. This is where consulting therapists or mental health professionals can come in handy. Studies clearly mention that cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is beneficial in overcoming the triggers that lead to smoking habit.

3. Mindfulness and Relaxation Habits

Mindfulness, meditation, and breathing exercises are excellent stress and anxiety management methods. These practices help individuals find inner peace and improve their ability to handle cravings. Regular mindfulness practice can also help improve concentration and overall mental well-being. Over time, these add up to help you stay motivated on your quitting journey and support your mental health.

What Are the Long-Term Mental Health Benefits of Quitting Smoking?

Quitting smoking not only temporarily impacts your life and mental health, but it also has long-term benefits that you need to be aware of. People who quit smoking experience improved self-esteem, self-control, and a greater sense of life satisfaction.

Some of the long-term mental health benefits of quitting smoking are:

• By successfully quitting, you build a stronger sense of resilience in your mind. It serves as a foundation for making other healthy lifestyle choices in the future, too.

• One of the most important reasons you need to quit is that it translates to greater life satisfaction. Not only are you free of the chemicals and the dependence, but you also get to choose a life free from addiction.

• Quitting smoking allows individuals to focus on their mental and emotional growth without the dependency on cigarettes. It will enable you to have better clarity in life.

Final Words

Quitting smoking and mental health improvements are directly proportional to each other. While the impacts or the upliftment might not be instant, the long-term benefits are worth the temporary challenges and struggles you experience, especially with the withdrawal symptoms and the cravings. Once you can let go of that habit, it allows you to lead an empowered life free from addiction.